“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
A week ago Friday, I took advantage of the beautiful weather to catch up on yard work. Subconsciously, I began to think about events and conversations of the week. I found myself becoming annoyed and irritated about some things when the Holy Spirit interrupted my thoughts and said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
I immediately began to think about this verse and put it into practice. It didn’t take long before I sensed a calmness and internal stability, which also changed my countenance. I began smiling.
Be full of joy. Celebrate. Take great pleasure. Delight. Be glad. This is the full extent of rejoicing. However, the Apostle Paul is not telling us to conjure up an emotion or response. Joy is NOT an emotion. Joy is NOT dependent on our circumstances. Joy is an ATTITUDE of the heart. The joy of the Lord is our STRENGTH (Nehemiah 8:10), even when everything seems to be falling apart around us.
Paul is not telling us to rejoice for rejoicing’s sake. Rejoice IN THE LORD. Be full of joy IN THE LORD. Take pleasure IN THE LORD. Delight yourself IN THE LORD. Our joy, as Christ Followers, exists solely upon the unassailable, unchanging relationship we have with our sovereign Lord. Joy overflowing from our hearts and changing our countenance depends on the time we invest in our relationship with Jesus. Joy is trusting in who God is and what He has done for us.
Rejoicing in the Lord is an activity that never stops! ALWAYS rejoice. Be full of joy continuously. Celebrate God all day, every day! In the midst of our busy day, during breaks from our daily responsibilities, let’s joyfully worship Him for His greatness, salvation, and goodness.
Rejoicing in the Lord is REALLY important! That’s why Paul repeats himself, “I will say it again: Rejoice!” Paul practiced rejoicing in the Lord while he and Silas were in jail. Paul and Silas could have complained and felt sorry for themselves. But instead, all of the inmates heard them joyfully sing and praise God. God showed up on the scene and threw open the jail doors with an earthquake. As a result of their rejoicing, the jailer and his whole family gave their life to Jesus that day! God always shows up on the scene when we worship Him. He gets personally involved in our lives.
Joy is an attitude of the heart that must be nurtured and developed. Let’s daily take time to “Rejoice in the Lord!”
“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy” Psalm 30:11.
Pastor Tom